Side‐effects of neem (Azadirachta indica) products on insect pathogens and natural enemies of spider mites and insects*

Neem products are safe to spiders, adults of numerous beneficial insect species and eggs of many predators such as coccinellids. Nymphal/larval instars are more or less susceptible, especially under laboratory conditions. No or only slight side‐effects are, as a rule, observed under semi‐field or field conditions. Due to their relative selectivity (‘stage selectivity’) neem products can be recommended for many programmes of Integrated Pest Management as it is unlikely that they will cause severe disturbances in ecosystems. In a few exceptional cases caution is recommended but it should be borne in mind that many more so‐called indifferent as well as beneficial insects and spiders are killed by synthetic pesticides as compared with neem products. Or in other words, the use of neem‐based pesticides can be a substantial contribution towards preservation of biodiversity in ecosystems in spite of the fact that they are not completely safe to all stages of beneficial nematodes, mites, and insects.